geeks

Technology Review. I just stumbled onto this magazine/online magazine. I'm not sure how I missed it.  It's published by MIT. And it is really good. Good enough that I might even subscribe to the paper edition. It's a real geek magazine.

[digression]
I've had this problem over the last few years with the bastardization of this term geek. Wiktionary describes it as an expert in a technical field (usually computers). Wikipedia describes it as one who is perceived to be overly obsessed with one or more things including those of intellectuality, electronics, etc. I think these are okay definitions. Back in the 80s, geeks were people who were into science, math, electronics, computers, and understanding how they worked. They wanted to program and build things and take things apart. In general though the common usage of this term is one that is used to describe someone who is obsessed with gadgets. The difference in my mind is one who is interested in how things work (the former definition) and one who is interested in buying electronic gadgets (the more popular usage). You see people say, "I'm a geek. I just have to have the new [insert gadget]." As a geek of the former definition, I HATE HATE HATE the secondary usage. Especially since many gadgets now are more fashion accessory than interesting technology.  And many great geek sites have veered towards the focus on gadgets like arstechnica.com and gizmodo/engadget.  It's depressing.
[/digression]

Anyway. Here's a sample of their stories right now.

• TR10: Cloud Programming - A new language will improve online apps
• Build Your Own Cellular Network
• Green Concrete - Storing carbon dioxide in cement
• Big Energy Storage in Thin Films - Ultracapacitor material fabricated on chips
• Facebook's Open Graph - A clever advertising move

They do succumb to the weaksauce "10 Emerging Technologies" ruse that is always hopelessly wrong.  But there's enough their to keep a geek going on a long plane ride.